Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned DStv Premiership champions for the seventh successive season after defeating ten-man Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 on Thursday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-5 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 02 May 2024
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs made five changes from their win over SuperSport United, as Thatayaone Ditlhokwe returned from a long injury lay-ofd alongside recalls for Edson Castillo, Yusuf Maart, Zitha Kwinika and Reeve Frosler.
The Brazilians, meanwhile, also made a similar number of changes from their win over TS Galaxy, as shot-stopper Denis Onyango, Thembinkosi Lorch, Neo Maema, Rivaldo Coetzee and Lucas Ribeiro Costa were brought back.
The sides were looking to establish a rhythm in the early exchanges, with no clear-cut opportunities but on 19 minutes the game came to life after Amakhosi were reduced to ten men after Given Msimango was red-carded for a tackle on Ribeiro, who was going through on goal.
Sundowns gained the upper hand as ten minutes before the break Tashreeq Matthews had a great chance after going through on goal but his low shot was saved by shot-stopper Bruce Bvuma, in one-on-one.
Amakhosi organized themselves well at the back and had a chance on the stroke of half-time after Frosler was played through in the box but his shot was blocked by the head of Mosa Lebusa and the sides were deadlocked at the break.
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Rulani Mokwena's charges came back from the break playing with fire in their belly and seven minutes later Matthews eventually broke the deadlock with a tap-in at the back post from a square pass by Costa.The visitors remained on the front foot and were 2-0 up four minutes later after Matias Esquivel's shot took a nasty deflection off Kwinika at the near post and wrong-footed Bvuma.
Chiefs were on a damage limitation after the hour-mark, with double defensive change, as Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Happy Mashiane replaced Christian Saile and Pule Mmodi.
Amakhosi, however, were scattered trying to push forward, as eight minutes before time Matthews killed the game and got his brace with a looping shot after going through on goal.
Cavin Johnson's men had a consolation goal moments later after Mduduzi Shabalala converted a spot-kick after a foul in the box.
Costa added salt to the Amakhosi wounds in the last minute after adding with a low strike after charging into the box unchanged.
Lorch made it more embarrassing for Chiefs after making it 5-1 for Masandawana in added time with a free header at the back post.
The Brazilians were crowned champions after that and also completed a league double over Chiefs.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 4. Kwinika, 25. Msimango, 24. Dithlokwe, 39. Frosler, 8. Maart, 6. Sithebe, 17. Castillo, 13. Mmodi, 21. Saile, 9. Du Preez
Subs: 1. Petersen, 27. Njabulo Ngcobo, 5. Mthethwa, 37. Zwane, 19. Mashiane, 42. Shabalala, 28. Vilakazi, 14. Gonzalez, 7. Chivaviro
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. D.Onyango, 44. Mdunyelwa, 14. Mashego, 40. Coetzee, 5. Lebusa, 21. Mkhulise, 35. Maema, 45. Lorch, 9. Esquivel, 23. Ribeiro, 70. Matthews
Subs: 30. Williams, 34. Mvala, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 24. Mbule, 11. Allende, 33. Maboe, 7. Nku, 38. Shalulile
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